Christi Schlager
Dana Schaufert
Mrs. Ficca
12 Honors English
20 March 2008
Banquo Versus Gandhi
Many of the characters from William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth can be compared to historical figures from the past. Among these characters is Banquo, a brave and noble general in the play. Banquo has ambitious thoughts but does not act on his ambition. An individual from history that has these similar characteristics is the well known Mohandas Gandhi. Gandhi is also a brave nobleman, has ambitious thoughts, but he does, however, act on his ambition, unlike Banquo. (good intro.)
Both Gandhi and Banquo can both be described as brave noblemen based on their dignified decisions and actions. Although Gandhi’s movement was powerful, he restrained himself from using firearm(s) and instead used prayer and nonviolence. He taught non-violent activism, passionate commitment, and also willingness to accept punishment for civil disobedience. Gandhi was considered both a major political and spiritual leader of India and is officially named the Father of the Nation. Similarly, Banquo showed nobleness and did not succumb to violence. During Act II of Macbeth (italicize), Banquo said to Fleance,
Hold, take my sword. There’s husbandry in heaven.
Their candles are all out. Take thee that too.
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,
And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers,
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose! (2.1.4-9).
Banquo tells his son Fleance to take his sword because he does not want to act on his cursed thoughts about killing Macbeth. This action demonstrates Banquo’s good nature and dignity. He is so appalled by these evil thoughts he is having that he has to have his sword taken from him. Banquo, like Gandhi, is a brave man whose passive behavior proves him to be noble. (excellent analysis)
As well as a nobleman, Banquo is also one of ambitious thoughts, like Gandhi. In Macbeth (italicize) Act II, scene I Banquo meets Fleance and tells him to take his sword and dagger. Banquo asks this of his son because he had been having macabre (cool word!) ( thoughts about Macbeth. These thoughts display Banquo’s ambition to murder Macbeth. Like Macbeth, Gandhi also has ambitious thoughts. Gandhi worked to improve the rights of Indians in southern Africa and developed a passive resistance against injustice, this (capitalize) shows Gandhi’s ambitious thoughts that if he were to peacefully rebel, others would notice him. His goals were big and he intelligently worked to attain them with well thought out techniques. Also (,) while Gandhi was back in India (,) he tried to work for independence from Britain, which also required a great deal of ambition.
Although Banquo and Gandhi have their similarities, they also have differences. Banquo has ambition but does not act on his ambition. Near the beginning of the play when the witches state that Banquo will beget a line of kings, Banquo is unconvinced by this prediction and doubts the prophecies. “What, can the devil speak true?” (1.3.108). Banquo questions the truth in what the witches say and resists the temptations of evil within the play. As much as Banquo would like to see one of his sons as King (don't capitalize), he resists temptations to kill Macbeth and disregards the witches’ predictions. This is an example of how Banquo does not act on his ambition. On the other hand, Gandhi does act on his ambition. He practiced peaceful civil disobedience in the Indian’s (delete 's - just use Indian) community’s struggle for civil rights in South Africa. Gandhi organized protests against oppressive taxation, (delete this comma) and widespread discrimination (,) and led nationwide campaigns for the alleviation of poverty, for the liberation of women, for an end to caste discrimination and also for Swaraj, which is the independence of India from foreign domination. Gandhi had a remarkable amount of ambition and formed his ambition into progressive action.
In conclusion, both Gandhi and Banquo show similarities and differences that are significant. They are both ambitious nobleman (noblemen) whose lives end in assassination. However, Gandhi acted on his thoughts more than Banquo. Comparing character’s from William Shakespeare’s, (delete this comma) Macbeth (italicize), (delete this comma) makes studying the play more interesting and throws in new dimensions.
Dana Schaufert
Mrs. Ficca
12 Honors English
20 March 2008
Banquo Versus Gandhi
Many of the characters from William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth can be compared to historical figures from the past. Among these characters is Banquo, a brave and noble general in the play. Banquo has ambitious thoughts but does not act on his ambition. An individual from history that has these similar characteristics is the well known Mohandas Gandhi. Gandhi is also a brave nobleman, has ambitious thoughts, but he does, however, act on his ambition, unlike Banquo. (good intro.)
Both Gandhi and Banquo can both be described as brave noblemen based on their dignified decisions and actions. Although Gandhi’s movement was powerful, he restrained himself from using firearm(s) and instead used prayer and nonviolence. He taught non-violent activism, passionate commitment, and also willingness to accept punishment for civil disobedience. Gandhi was considered both a major political and spiritual leader of India and is officially named the Father of the Nation. Similarly, Banquo showed nobleness and did not succumb to violence. During Act II of Macbeth (italicize), Banquo said to Fleance,
Hold, take my sword. There’s husbandry in heaven.
Their candles are all out. Take thee that too.
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,
And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers,
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose! (2.1.4-9).
Banquo tells his son Fleance to take his sword because he does not want to act on his cursed thoughts about killing Macbeth. This action demonstrates Banquo’s good nature and dignity. He is so appalled by these evil thoughts he is having that he has to have his sword taken from him. Banquo, like Gandhi, is a brave man whose passive behavior proves him to be noble. (excellent analysis)
As well as a nobleman, Banquo is also one of ambitious thoughts, like Gandhi. In Macbeth (italicize) Act II, scene I Banquo meets Fleance and tells him to take his sword and dagger. Banquo asks this of his son because he had been having macabre (cool word!) ( thoughts about Macbeth. These thoughts display Banquo’s ambition to murder Macbeth. Like Macbeth, Gandhi also has ambitious thoughts. Gandhi worked to improve the rights of Indians in southern Africa and developed a passive resistance against injustice, this (capitalize) shows Gandhi’s ambitious thoughts that if he were to peacefully rebel, others would notice him. His goals were big and he intelligently worked to attain them with well thought out techniques. Also (,) while Gandhi was back in India (,) he tried to work for independence from Britain, which also required a great deal of ambition.
Although Banquo and Gandhi have their similarities, they also have differences. Banquo has ambition but does not act on his ambition. Near the beginning of the play when the witches state that Banquo will beget a line of kings, Banquo is unconvinced by this prediction and doubts the prophecies. “What, can the devil speak true?” (1.3.108). Banquo questions the truth in what the witches say and resists the temptations of evil within the play. As much as Banquo would like to see one of his sons as King (don't capitalize), he resists temptations to kill Macbeth and disregards the witches’ predictions. This is an example of how Banquo does not act on his ambition. On the other hand, Gandhi does act on his ambition. He practiced peaceful civil disobedience in the Indian’s (delete 's - just use Indian) community’s struggle for civil rights in South Africa. Gandhi organized protests against oppressive taxation, (delete this comma) and widespread discrimination (,) and led nationwide campaigns for the alleviation of poverty, for the liberation of women, for an end to caste discrimination and also for Swaraj, which is the independence of India from foreign domination. Gandhi had a remarkable amount of ambition and formed his ambition into progressive action.
In conclusion, both Gandhi and Banquo show similarities and differences that are significant. They are both ambitious nobleman (noblemen) whose lives end in assassination. However, Gandhi acted on his thoughts more than Banquo. Comparing character’s from William Shakespeare’s, (delete this comma) Macbeth (italicize), (delete this comma) makes studying the play more interesting and throws in new dimensions.
Works Cited